On May 13, Dushanbe hosted negotiations between Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin on the sidelines of the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The foreign ministers discussed the issues of the upcoming visit of the President of Tajikistan to Uzbekistan, as well as bilateral interaction in the political, trade-economic, transport-communication and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

A high assessment was given to the current state of strategic partnership, which is based on centuries-old ties between the two fraternal peoples, the trusting and friendly relations that have developed between the leaders of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

The need for unconditional fulfillment of the instructions of the presidents of the two countries to bring the volume of trade turnover to $1 billion in the coming years was emphasized.

The parties noted the need for holding the next meeting of the Joint Uzbekistan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation as soon as possible.

A resolute attitude was expressed to enhance collaboration in a cultural-humanitarian direction, to organize joint major cultural events on the territory of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, taking into account the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

The Tajik side highly appreciated Uzbekistan's chairmanship in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, reaffirming its full support for the initiatives of the Uzbek side, as well as its readiness to take an active part in all events, including at the upcoming SCO Summit in Samarkand.

The parties also exchanged views on the current issues of regional and international politics and considered the schedule of joint activities for the coming period.